Strap for wrist watches



July 6, 1937. A. scHwALBERG 2,086,050

STRAP FoRwRIsT WATCHES Filed Feb. 8, 1952 27 .,lll'

. INVENTOR Abra/zam .Schw/beg Patented ,girly 6, 193:7

entree stares intatte 2,086,050 sfr-Rar Fon WRIST wa'rcnes Abraham Schwalberg, Brooklyn, N, Y.

AVppiication February 8, 1932, Serial-No. 591,610 `j 1e claims. (ci. 24-265) This invention relates to wrist watch straps or bracelets, and contemplates the provision of a wrist watch strap designed to beA quickly and easily connected to .Various wrist watches, regardless of differences in the shapes and sizes of the strep re ving eiements of such watches'.

rIhe various objects oi my invention wiil be clear from the description which follows and from the drawing, in which,

Fig. l is a iront elevation of part of my new strap, as it appears in use.

Figs. 2 to 9 are fragmentary elevational views of modified forms and arrangements oi my new strap showing a number o the various positions in which may be secured to a watch provided with a spring-pin strap holding element.

Fig. 1Q is a similar view of a modified form ci my invention as it appears applied to a wrist watch provided with a central ear or lug.

Fig. l1 is a similar view of the same, showing the application ci my invention toa wrist watch provided with a pair of spacediugs or ears.

Fig. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational View of the same, similar to Fig. 9, but showing the strap secured to a iixed watch pin.

Fig. i3 is a. top plan view and partial horizontal section of I2.

. Fig. ifi is a similar view oi Fig. 6; and

Fig. l is a similar view of the strap end, connection and watch pin oi Figs. l to 5 inclusive.

It will be understood that wrist watches as at present marketed are provided with variety of different forms of ears or lugs to which it is intended that wrist watch straps or bracelets of predetermined width be attached. Four forms ci such ears are illustrated, `for example, in Figs. l, l0, ll, and It has heretofore been necessary, therefore, to supply the jeweler or other retailer oi such straps with straps oi various widths and shapes, so that he might select a str-ap to nt the particular watch.

I have made it possible, however, for the jeweler to keep in stock, a strap of standard size made in accordance with my invention, so that the same strap may be attached to the ear or ears of any watch regardless of the position oi the ear or ears cr the width or spacing thereof.

In Figs. l to 9 inclusive, I have shown the watch i@ provided with the same kind of parallel spaced ears or lugs ii and l2 of comparatively little thickness, of a type'quite Afrequently used. Said ears are perforated respectively as at i3 and id for the reception of a pair of thin plunger pins l5, each arranged partly inside of Y the main pin I6, and spring-pressed outwardly in a manner which is well known and hence which need not be furtherdescribed. The main pin l5 is of greater diameter than the perforations E3 and lli, and is removable'rom the ears by rst pressing at least one of the plunger Vpins l5 inwardly against the action of its spring to clear theA watch ear. Y

In that form of the watch ear shown in Fig. i9, a single perforated ear as il is provided, adapted to receive a suitable pin preferably in the form of a bolt or screw. In Fig. 11, Ihave illus` trated a watch provided with a pair of comparatively wide ears as i8l and l, said ears being comparatively closely' spaced, and Ybeing spaced from the edges o the watch 23. In Figs. 12 and 13,'the ear is made in the form of a U-shaped pin 2i projecting from and fixed to the watch 22.

, My invention, however, is applicable not onlytov all of the Various types of watches having Ythe ears just described, but as well as to others known in the art, such as watcheshaving more than two ears, and other types 0I^ either xed or fremovable. pins.

In carrying out my invention; I may make the entire strap -body or merely the end portion there- Gf of ai pair of independent sections as 25 and 26, each independently attach-able to the watch ear andk independently' adjustable. The Strap end sections 25 and 25 may therefore take various operative positions with relation to each other, and may thereby modifythe shape of the strap body, as will be clear from ythe various figures of the drawing. Or if desired, an integral end section maybe provided on the stranand said section arranged on and secured to asuitable pin in the proper position with the `aid of'tubular spacers, as will be 'later explained, in which case the strap is made of Vminimum width to fit the least space between any pair of watch ears.

In that practical embodiment of my invention whichl have illustrated by way of example in.` Fig. l, the strap body members 25 and 26 are spread and attached at the left ends 2l and 23 thereof to a suitable buckle orhook Vof anyoi the types well known in the art and designated generally by the numeral 29. The buckle,hookV or other type of intermediate connection 29 may Y be permanently attached to the' endsll and 23 or detachably andv adjustably secured thereto.-Y

It may take the form of a hinged folding buckle, a solidly attachedrend hook, an adjustable fastening buckle, or any of the connections atpresent usedv for detachably securing strap body sections vtogether and well known in the art, and which hence need no further description. The strap end which is connected to one side of the watch, being similar to the other end connected to the other side of the watch, the description oi one end suices for both.

t will be understood, however, that the ends 2T and 28 of the strap bands may be independently set into and secured to the connection 29, and that the width of said connection should be somewhat greater than the least width of the entire strap body. The strap members 25 and 26 may, if desired, be drawn together' at any point into edge to edge contact by one or more suitable loops 3Q, preferably of leather or metal. At the respective right ends Si and 32 of the strap members, said members are connected to the watch pin i6 by suitable end hooks as 33. As shown in Figs. l and 4, said end hooks each consists of a cylindrical hook or tubular portion 34 at one end passed about the pin iS, the end hook being provided at its other end in a suitably shaped integral portion 35 clamped on to the eXtreme end of the strap.

In this form of my invention, a pair of independent end hooks are provided, each being separately attached to one of the strap ends 3l or 32. Where the portion 34 is in the form of a hook (Fig. i4) to secure the strap' end to the pin, the portion Sil is hooked about and then bent into close contact therewith. Where the portion 3d is tubular, the pin i6 need merely be passed therethrough. In either case, however, the portion Sil is made integral with its attaching means 35, but separate from an adjacent portion Sli. It being understood that the width of the strap, when the adjacent edges of the body members 25 and 26 are closest together, (Fig. 4l) is less than the length of the pin I6, for the narrowest watch with which the strap is to be used, it is desirable to provide means for maintaining the strap ends 3l and 32 in their proper positions on the pin.

Toward this end, one or more metallic` tubes or spacers 33 of the proper diameter and length are arranged on the pin in any of a variety of positions, depending on how it is desired tospace the strap body ends in transversely adjusted position. Connections or hooks as 33 may also be used, if desired, with or without the spacers 3S, to attach the ends 2l and 28 of the strap body to the buckle or connection 29.

It will be understood that where a single strap section 25 or 26 is used without the other section, the connection or end hook 33 is similarly connected to and adjusted on the pin IS, using the required number of the spacers. As shown in Fig. l, the strap ends 3l and 32 are spread apart and maintained in their spread relation. In that form of my invention illustrated in Figs. i. and e, the portions 34 of the end hooks 33 are each made of just sufiicient width to receive one of the strap ends, though it will be understood that said portions 343 may be made considerably longer if desired to take the place of separate spacers 36, as will be later pointed out.

Should it be desired to arrange the strap ends Si and 32 comparatively closely together, as shown in Fig. 2, the spacer 3@ may be replaced by a shorter intermediate spacer 3l, and additional end spacers as 3S and 39,if needed, may be arranged on the pin I5 between the outer edge oi each of the end hooks 3Q and the adjacent watch ear.

It will be understood that if desired, a series of comparatively short spacers as 42, (i3, lid, and 45 may be provided with each strap, so that the user or the jeweler may use as many of said spacers as is necessary to arrange the strap ends 3l and 32 in any desired relative position on the watch pin l5, as for example illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. In Fig. Li, the intermediate spacer or spacers have been omitted, and only outer spacers lid and lli used. This arrangement may be employed advantageously where the distance between the watch ears H and l2 is a minimum.

As shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, the cylindrical portions Sli of each of the end hooks may be made integral with each other and elongated as at 46 to such length as to permit the outer edges of the connections 33 to fit between watch ears which are spaced apart to the maximum extent. Io assemble the strap members independently on a narrower watch, despite the rigid attachment of the connections to each other, a measured part of the elongated tubular portion 4S is removed by means of a pair of spaced parallel cuts. When the remaining non-separated parts of the section 66 are assembled, the cut ends d? thereof are in contact and the strap members become arranged in the desired position on the watch pin (Fig. 5). It will be understood that instead of extending the cylindrical portions i6 toward each other, they may extend away from each other, and may similarly be cut oi at their r ends to iit inside of the watch ears, so that when assembled, the strap parts assume'the positions shown in Fig. 4. In this case, however, the spacers iti and lil, instead of being separate members, are formed integrally with the remaining tubular pin-receiving portions 34 of the end hooks 33.

As illustrated in Fig. '7, it will be seen that my invention is equally applicable to round or cylindrical strap members 48, i9, as to the :dat strap members 25 and 26. For round members, however, the terminal portion 56 of the end hook 5l is suitablyshaped to be properly clamped about a round strap.v

As shown in Fig. `8, the transversely separable ends 52 and 53 of the strap body may be formed by siitting a leather strap body of the usual construction by means of a suitable slit 5t; or the central portion 55 of the strap body may take the form of a piece of metal, preferably sheet metal, to which the flexible strap members 52 and 53 are secured, said members 52 and 53 or any part thereof being made of metal, link mesh, silk or leather cord.

Or the member 55 may be made of leather or other suitable material to which the narrower strips 52 and 53 are stitched or otherwise secured.

In Figs. 6 and 14, I have shown a form of end hook 56, to which the strap ends 3l and 32 may be detachably and adjustably secured. The end hook in this instance takes the form of a buckle, including a pronged swingable member 57 adapted to be forced into engagement with the strap cnd and thereby to secure it in place, while permitting a range of adjustment.

As shown in Fig. 1G, the watch @il is provided with a single central perforated pin receiving ear l'i. Here, the strap ends 3l and 32 are secured to any type or end hook such as 3E, 56 or 56, and are preferably, though not necessarily arranged on opposite Ysides of the ear il. The bolt or screw @i is then passed through the cylindrical poitions of the end hooks and through the ears, being secured in place in any suitable manner, as by the nut 52, or by screwing the threaded end of the bolt' or screw into a correspondingly internally threaded partof the cylindrical portion `63 75 f In Fig. 1l, a pair of ears I8 and screwed i2 as at i3. nates in the cylindrical hook member 'H adapted of the end hooli, in a manner, illustrated for eX- ample in connection with Fig. 11.

I9 are provided, each similar to the ear I1. Three strap sections ed, 55 and 65 are there sho-wn, though ity shown an end hook structure peculiarly adapted to permit the user to attach the strap to any type ofwatch ear or pin, such as for-example, the Vxed pin 2 i or the usual removable pin of Fig. 9. In this form of my invention, the end hook-comprises the 1-shaped buckle frame lo, provided vwith spaced depending side anges I'l i, to which flanges is pivoted a swingable pronged member At its other end, the frame 19 termito embrace the watch pin 2l or the like. At its adjacent end, the member 12 is provided with a cylindrical resilient portion 14, which I preferably render more resihent by cutting away a central section such as therefrom so as to space the resilient portions M apart, and also to permit V'the insertion thereinto of a suitable tool to swing member 'Minto Vopen position.

The strap end i@ having been inserted into the 'frame between the pivot i3 and the flat web of the frame, and thel hook 'H having been passed about the watch ear, the member 'l2 is then rotated in the proper direction to carry the prongs Tl thereof into engagement with the strap end,

while at the same time forcing the resilient secu tion past the free edge 'i8 of the hook Il. lThe' member 'l2 is thus locked in place due to the tendency of the resilient section i4 to expand against the pin and against said free edge 18. The strap may be readily detached from the pin by inserting the finger nail or a suitable too-l in the cut-away part l5 and rotating the member "i2 Vin the proper direction to release the strap.

In connection with the Xed pinV 2l, the spacers, if any are used, should be of hook form, or open along an edge to permit the arrangement thereof on the xed pin.

It will be understood that the connection just described is adapted for use with the strap sections Si and 32 as illustrated in Fig. 9, in which case the member 'lil is made of the Width corresponding to that of the strap end and the tube 5S is used to space the strap ends apart on the pin lll. If desired, however, the portion 'Il may be made of greater length than the width of the frame il (Fig. 12) in which case the spacers may be dispensed with. Any of the connections specifically described above may be used with a two-part strap body such as shown and described in my co-pending application for patent for Wrist watch strap, Serial No. 557,035, filed August let-h, 193i, or in connection with a strap having only one piece in the width thereof, provided that proper spacers be used on the strapreceiving pin. It will be seen from the above that my inventionY may take a variety of forms, in all of which, however, the strap end is secured to the watch pin independently of any other strap end and in the proper position on the pin and in relation to any type of watch ear.

While I have shown various specific embodiments o f my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to limit myself thereto, but intendv to claim my invention as broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

- l. In a wrist watch strap, a non-metallic body portion'terminating in a pair of adjacent free end sections, and attachingV means including a Vtubular po-rtionarranged in spaced relation to the strap end and-a strap-clamping portion vconnected to each of said sections, for securing each section to ya wrist watch and Ain. predetermined transversely spaced relation to the `other section, and means for maintaining said relation comprising at least one tubular member adapted to be Varranged interchangeably between said sections or on opposite sides of said sections, orboth, said tubular members being of the same inner andV outer diameters as those of said tubular portion. 2. In a Wrist watch' strap for a wrist watch which is provided with pin-receiving members and a pin passing through said members, a

non-metallic body member terminating at one end in a pair of free sections, a metallic connection secured to each of said sections, said connection being provided with a strap-receiving and clamping portion adapted to have the extreme end portion of a section partly inserted thereinto, and a tubular pin-receiving portion projecting beyond the clamping portion, and a member tubular throughout its entire length and unrnutilated and associated with the connection for positioning said sections relatively to each other on the pin of the watch.

3. In a wrist watch provided with perforated lugs, Vand a pin removably passed through the lugs, a watch strap having individually movable Y.

adjacent end sections, a connection on each of said sections comprising an attaching member securing the connection to the end section and a tubular portion projecting-from the attaching `member and securing the connection to a pin,

and a tubular member arranged coaxially of, on each side of and inedge-abutting relation to the tubular portion of the connection,V and adapted to receive the wrist watch pin for spacing the co-nnections relatively to each other on ther pin. f 1 A 4. The combination with the strap-receiving pin of a wrist watch, of a Watchstrap having a bifurcated end section forming at least two adjacent strap ends, a connection on each of said adjacent ends of the strap, each of said connections having a portion thereof secured to the strap end and having a tubular remaining portion passed about the pin and arranged beyond the strap end, and an unmutilated tubular spacing 'member arranged coaxially of said tubular portionand at a side of` said tubular portion, and in edge-abutting relation to said tubular portion, and on the watch pin.

5. In a wrist watch-strap for a wrist watch provided with a strap-holding pin, an end section, means for connecting said section to the pin, a second similar end section adjacent the first-mentioned section, similar means for connecting said second section to the pin, and tusaid sections, for arranging said first and second- Y mentioned connecting means inA predetermined relation.

6. In a wrist watch strap for a wrist watchVV I provided with a strap-holding pin, anY endconnection comprising a portion clamped about the end of the strap and thereby securing the connection to the strap, an unmutilated tubular portion adapted to receive the pin and integral with the securing portion, and an unmutilated tubular member of substantially the same diameter as that of said tubular portion adapted to be arranged on the pin on at least one side of the tubular portion and beyond said portion lto arrange said tubular portion at a desired position on the pin.

7. In a wrist-watch strap for a wrist-watch which is provided with pin-receiving members and a pin passing through said members, a pair of transversely separable adjacent end portions, and means for arranging said end portions in predetermined spaced relation and for securing said end portions to the pin comprising a pair of metallic connections each secured at one part thereof to one of the end portions and at another part thereof being securable to the pin, at least one of said connections being arranged between said members.

8. In a Wrist watch strap, an end portion divided transversely into at least two individual end sections, a buckle on each of said sections including a frame terminating in a cylindrical member, a swingable member pivoted to the frame and terminating in a resilient portion bent inwardly through an angle greater than iSO" adapted to snap past the edge of the cylindrical member in the operative position of said buckle, a pin passing through the cylindrical members of said end sections, and a tubular spacer adjacent the cylindrical portion of at least one of said buckles.

9. In a wrist watch strap for a wrist watch which is provided with a removable strap-holding pin, a plurality of transversely separable adjacent end portions on the strap, and means for arranging said end portions in predetermined relation and for securing said end portions to the pin, comprising a plurality of separable me-Y tallic connections, each of said connections having one part thereof secured to one of the end portions of the strap and having another part thereof of tubular form and adapted to removably receive the pin.

l0. In a wrist watch strap for a wrist watch provided with a removable strap-holding pin, an end portion -on the strap divided transversely into at least two individual free end sections, a connection on each of said sections, said connection comprising a part secured to the end of the end section, and terminating in a tubular member arranged beyond the eXtreme end oi said end section and adapted to receive the pin, the tubular members of said connections being adjustable transversely relatively toI and individually of each other.

l1. In a wrist Watch strap for a wrist watch which is provided with pin-receiving members and a pin passing through said members, a pair of transversely separable adjacent end portions on the strap, and means for arranging said end portions in predetermined relation on the pin comprising a pair of metallic connections, each of said connections'having the inner part thereof secured to one of the end portions of the strap m and having an outer part thereof of tubular form and arranged outwardly beyond the inner part and outwardly beyond and out of contact with the eXtreme end edge of that end portion of the strap to which said connection is secured by said inner part. l

12. In a wrist watch strap, an end portion divided transversely into at least two individual end sections, a buckle on each of said sections including a frame terminating in a completely cylindrical unmutilated member, a swingable member pivoted to the frame and terminating at one end in teeth adapted to engage the end section in the operative position of the buckle to secure the buckle to the end section, a pin passing through the cylindrical members of said buckles, and means for holding said pin, the cylindrical members of said buckles being ad- -J'ustabler on said pin individually of each other and of said means to arrange said cylindrical members in spaced relation to each other or to said means or in edge-abutting relation to each other or ,to said means.

13. In combination, a wrist watch case, a strap member, a pair of transverse eyes at one of the ends of the strap member, said pair of eyes being relatively movable and supported in spaced relation transversely, a detachable pin bar at one end of the case extending through said s, and. means carried by the pin bar and :aiming said eyes against movement toward caen other, said means comprising a third eye arranged in the recess between said pair of eyes and on the pin bar.

lli. In combination, a wrist watch having a pair of pin-receiving members, a strap-receiving pin removably lield by said members, a watch strap having a bifuroated end part, said end part coma pair of transversely movable eyes, said eyes being arranged between said members, and means for arranging said eyes in predetermined spaced relation comprising a third eye arranged between said pair of eyes, said pin passing through all of said eyes and securing said strap and said third eye to the wrist watch.

l5. In a wrist watch strap for a wrist watch provided with a strap-holding pin, an end section on the strap, an eye on said section connecting said section to the pin, a second similar end section spaced transversely from the rst-mentioned section, a similar eye on said second section connecting said second section to the pin. and tubular spacing means associated with said eyes and mounted on the pin between said sections and between said eyes for arranging and. maintaining said eyes in predetermined relation on said pin.

16. The combination with the strap-receiving pin of a Wrist watch, of a watch strap having a biurcatedend section forming tWo strap ends supported in spaced apart relation transversely, an eye on each of said strap ends, each of the eyesv having an extension thereof secured to the remainderof the strap, said eyes being passed about the pin and arranged beyond the remainder of the strap, and an unmutilated tubular spacing member arranged on the watch pin coaXially of said eyes and at a side of said eyes and in edge-abutting relation to said eyes.

ABRAHAM SCHWALBERG. 

